William Friedkin, by any stretch, has to be considered one of the major filmmakers in history. Many would claim that he made the best film in not one but two genres: the best (and scariest) horror film with The Exorcist, and the greatest cop film with The French Connection.

His recent memoir, The Friedkin Connection, is almost entirely devoted to his work, moving through his life film by film; his wives and children (with one late exception) are not only not discussed, they're not even named. This is a filmmaker's working memoir for film lovers.

Movieland's CJ Johnson has devoured The Friedkin Connection, and offers this detailed review, including a guide to which chapters you may want to read first if you're curious but time-strapped.